Emergency generating set



J. P. BRYAN Sept. 10, 1935.

EMERGENCY GENERATING SET Filed Oct. 22, 1950 5 Sheets-Sheet l fig flliy mvENToR O no TTORNEY Sept 10, 1935. J. P. BRYAN EMERGENCY GENERATING SET Filed Oct. 22, 1930 5 Sheets-Sheet 2 INVENTOR TTORNEY Sept. 1% 1935.. J. BRYAN 2,014,101

EMERGENCY GENERATING SET Filed Oct. 22. 1930 5 Sheets-Sheet 3 FIGB INVENTOR WHW AZWTTORNEY Sept. 10, 1935, J P BRYAN 2,014,101

EMERGENCY GENERATING SET Filed Oct. 22, 1930 5 Sheets-Sheet 4 27 INVENTOR Z; BY ATToRNEY apt. 10, 1935. J. P. BRYAN 2,014,101

EMERGENCY GENERATING SET Filed Oct. 22, 1950 5 Sheets-Sheet 5 89- 4m v r F 7 87 0d 67:? INVENTOR M iATToRNEY Patented Sept. 10, 1935 UPtiTE STATES PATENT OFFICE 13 Claims.

This invention relates to emergency electric generating sets.

In many instances it is desirable and even necessary that an auxiliary or emergency electric generating set be in readiness to supply current when the main source of electricity fails for any reason. As an instance of this, the lights in moving picture theatres and other places of public gathering are usually lighted from the supply mains of the city. which mains are usually laid along the streets and receive their electricity from a central generating station. If such a source of supply of electricity to the theatre or other place of public gathering were discontinued because of failure at the central station, disconnection or failure of the supply lines, or for other causes, the place of gathering would be left in darkness. In case of fire the supply lines are apt to be disconnected hy the ravages of fire or by the action of the firemen. In some localities it is a rule that the first duty of the firemen on reaching a fire is to disconnect all connections of the fired building with the electric supply mains. This, of course, extinguishes all the electric lights in the building including the exit lights and in time of fire, the people, left in darkness, not knowing which way to turn, are likely to become involved in a with consequent disaster. Many actual occurrences have taken place wherein large numbers of people have been seriously injured and even killed because of failure of the lights in time of fire.

Emergency lighting sets utilizing the water power of the usual water mains in the building where the set is located for driving a waterwheel directly connected to a generator supplying the current for the lights, have been extensively used in practice and have given satisfactory service.

In such sets the water-wheel for driving the generator has been controlled by a valve operated in response to current in the main supply lines.

In another application I have set forth an emergency set of the character indicated wherein actuating means for the valve, and also for switching mechanism, runs down and requires to be rewound or reset before it can again operate. In the application referred to, this rewinding or resetting is manually accomplished.

It is one of the main objects of the present invention to provide. for the rewinding or resetting of the valve operating means by mechanism rather than by hand.

It is a further object of the invention to provide automatic mechanism for rewinding or resetting the valve operating mechanism.

A further object of the invention is to provide a fully automatic emergency generating set which may be locked against operation and the locking means be remotely controlled.

A further object of the invention is to provide a timing mechanism for automatically testing out the set simulating current failure in the main line, and operating the set for a pre-arranged period, at the end of which time stopping the test, and leaving it in an operative condition.

Other and ancillary objects of the invention will appear hereinafter.

In the accompanying drawings which illustrate the invention Fig. l is a plan of apparatus embodying the invention showing the arrangement of the generator, Water-wheel, motor and parts of the controlling mechanism;

Fig. 2 is a front elevation of the said apparatus, certain parts being in section, showing the operating mechanism and parts of the control;

Fig. 3 is an end elevation of the. said apparatus viewed from the left of Fig. l, partly broken away, showing the pulley wheel, motor, gears and weight;

Fig. 4 is an enlarged side elevation of the two solenoids and the locking mechanism;

Fig. 5 is an enlarged plan view of the consumption circuit connecting switch and the motor circuit connecting switch;

Fig. 6 is a side elevation of the switches shown in Fig. 5 and their operating mechanism, the latter being broken away; and

Fig. 7 is a diagrammatic view showing a wiring diagram and the relation of the parts.

Referring to the drawings, 6 is a compoundwound, direct current generator, with suitable fixed resfstances so as to deliver curr nt at a a constant voltage, within commercial limits, at all speeds and loads. 0n the shaft '5' of the generator is mounted a water-wheel S of the impulse type. The flow of water to the water-wheel through inlet 9, is controlled by the needle valve it), and discharges through the outlet it. When the needle valve is open the water wheel drives the generator.

On the valve stem !3 of the needle valve is secured the worm M, which engages with the rollers i5, mounted in the fixed brackets ES, secured to the casing of the inlet and more clearly shown in Fig. 1. When the valve stem 53 is turned, it is moved in the direction of its axis by the action of the worm and the rollers.

At I! is an adjustable stop collar held on the valve stem 53 by the set screw It. This collar carries the stop pin H), which abuts the pin 21, fixed to the bracket I5 on the frame, at the end of the movement of the valve stem. The adjustment of this top collar l1 controls the opening of the needle valve. On the end of the needle valve stem 13 is fixed the drum 2% which includes the hand wheel 22, for manually operating the needle valve. A grooved pulle' is fixed on the periphery of the drum 2L Attached to the pulley 23 and fitting in a groove thereof is a flexible cable M to which is attached the weight 25. The action of this weight in falling when released by a solenoid controlled mechanism, hereinafter described, turns the pulley, drum and the valve stem l3 opening the needle valve. Within the hand wheel 22 and fitting over a hub 26 on the drum is the collar which is secured to the valve stem l3 by the set-screws 28. In the hub 26 of the drum there mounted the pin 29 which projects into a sector 3d cut out of the collar 21. As shown in Fig. this cutout sector permits the pin free play when it is in this sector allowing the drum to revolve free from the valve stem 23. This mrmits the drum to gather momentum under influence of the falling and imparts a suflicient blow or shock when pin 23 strikes the side of the sector 35 on the collar 2'5 to revolve the stem and prevent sticking of the needle valve. Referring to Figs. 1 and 3 the pin 35, projects from the side of the pulle and upon rotation of the drum, with release of the weight, engages the jaw 32 (Fig. 3) on the donbleJahr-ow, double-pole switch 33, throwing it i disconnecting the consumption circuit from the mainline and connecting it to the generator terminals as hereinafter described.

Tied to the switch 33 by the arm 34 and operated simultaneously by it, is the sing1e-pole, doublc throw switch 35, which connects disconnects the electric motor 12 the main l'ne is hereinafter described.

Referring to Fig. 2 and the pulley the rim of this pulley is fitted with gear teeth 35 which engage the pinion 31 secured to one end of the shaft 38. Fixed to this shaft is the ratchet-wheel 39, which engages a ratchet-finger 3E. This finger 45 by its engagement with the ratchet-wheel 39 prevents the shaft 38 from till ing, and therefore the pulley 23. On the other end of the shaft 38, is mounted the gear wheel ll, which is driven by the gear-train ii. 13, as and the motor #2. This motor is driven by the main line current, winds up the weight 25 and closes the needle valve it). In the middle of the shaft 38 is the spring clutch 45, and operating lever 45, shown pivoted at ll. The clutch lever roller is shown at 18 and the clutch springs at ill. This clutch is used to detachably conned; the motor end of the shaft after the cable carrying the weight 25 has been wound up on the pulley 23 by the motor l2. The clutch l5 is thrown out of engagement against the action of the springs #9 by the projection 5! on the pulley wheel 23, which acts on the end of the lever depressing it, during the last wolution of the pulley when the weight is being wound up by the motor. This disconnects the motor from the shaft 38, and allows the weight 25 when released, to turn the pulley wheel pinion and shaft 38 free from the motor l2. Simultaneously with the release of the weight 225, the projection on the end of the solenoid rod 58 (Fig. 2), hercinafter described, drops in between the two d (now open) of the clutch and holds apart until the solenoid rod lit is energizing of solenoid L the projection 53, the disks of the clutch do are forced together by the action of the clutch springs 39, so that the motor cor weight end of the shaft ant. up the weight as soon as the by the main line current. The rev in drum 28, due to the falling we by the piece 5i fixed to the drun .2 supported lever which is pivoted to a bracket at 53.

The weight 25 is free to fall when the pulley 23, pinion 31, are allowed to turn by releasing the ratchet wheel 39. This ratchet wheel is released by the ratchet-finger 4Q, pivoted at 54, and supported by an arm 55 on one end of the lever 55. The other end M of this lever 56 engages with a. rod 58 carrying a weight 59, this rod being pivoted to the plunger of the solenoid so. The lever 55 is pivoted at Bl, so that when the end E3! is depressed, the other end 5-5 is raised, lifting the ratchet finger 4B and freeing the ratchet wheel 39. The solenoid 00 carried by the solenoid bracket 32 is energized by the main line current, so that when it is deenergized, due to failure or interruption of the main line current, the weight 59 falls. The lower end of rod 58 has a wedgeshaped portion 58' which is adapted in its lowered position to fit in between the two disks of the clutch 45, when they have been separated by the action of projection 50, carried by the pulley 23, on the clutch lever 45. or disconnected while the part 58 is between the disks of the clutch.

Referring to Figs. 2 and 4, the solenoid 53 is supported by the bracket 62 and is energized by the main line current through a remote control switch. The armature B4 of this solenoid operates the ratchet wheel 55 by the lever 85, arm 6'! which carries the Weight 68, and pawl 69. On the shaft H3 which carries the ratchet-wheel 55 is a square cam Tl, against which there is rei from falling, and the other position which 7 clear of the weight 59, allowing the weight to fall. By operating a remote control switch and energizing the solenoid 63, the ratchet Wheel 65 is turned a tooth, which is suflicient to place the latch 73 so that its projection 74 is in the path of the moving weight 59, permitting the projection E4 to engage with the catch 75 on the weight 59, thereby preventing it from falling. The set can thus be locked and made inoperative by remote control. In the same manner another energizing of the solenoid G3 unlocks the set. The operation may be traced as follows: Referring to Fig. 7, It is the direct current main line which supplies current to the consumption circuit 71 through the leads l'll, contacts '59, and double-pole, double-throw switch The water-wheel generator 5 supplies current through the leads on the contacts 8!. The weightwinding motor I2 is energized by the main line current 76 through the leads 82, contact and switch 35. The solenoid for putting the starting mechanism into operation is energized by main line current 75 through the leads E l. The solenoid 63 for operating the remote controlled locking mechanism, for locking the set in an in- The clutch to is thus out operative position, is energized by the main line current it through the leads 85, clock switch 88 and the remote control switch 81. With the current on the main line, set unlocked, and needle valve closed, when the current in the main line it fails, the solenoid 60 is deenergized, the weight drops depressing the end 51 of the lever 56, and raising the other end This raises the ratchet finger 4i and frees ratchet-wheel 39. The clutch d5 which connects the weight end of the shaft 33 to the motor driven end of the same shaft is thrown out of engagement against the action of the clutch-springs 49, by the projection 55 on the pulley wheel 23, bearing on the clutch operating lever 46. The clutch is out of engagement in the position of the diagram (Fig. 7) With the dropping of the solenoid weight 59 the wedge-shaped portion 58' of the rod 53 drops in between the disks (now open) of the clutch t5, and keeps them separated. The pulley wheel 23 is now free to turn under the influence of the weight which now falls. The rotating pulley turns the valve stem l3, worm l4, and, as described hereinabove, moves the stem to the left and opens the needle valve IE, admitting water to the water-wheel 8 and driving the shaft i of the generator ii which supplies current to the contacts 8!. The turning of the pulley 25 raises projection 58 relieving the pressure on the or" the clutch operating lever 416, and the clutch at is now ready for being thrown into engagement by the action of the clutch springs ii), upon removal of the part 58, connecting the motor driven sleeve on the shaft 38 to that shaft which is geared to the pulley-wheel and weight. When the pin 3| on the pulley wheel 23, during its revolution, strikes the jaw 32 of the doublepole, double-throw switch 33, this switch is thrown, disconnecting the consumption circuit 11 from the main line 16, and connecting it through the contacts 85 to the generator 6, which now supplies current. By this same movement and simultaneously with it, the switch 33, through the link arm 3d, connects the switch with contact thus connecting motor 82 with the main line, now dead. When the solenoid 58, is energized, the rod 58 is raised carrying with it the wedge-shaped portion 58', which allows the clutch springs (9 to act and the clutch 45 is thrown in. The motor I2 is now so connected that upon the resumption of the main line current, it will function through the shaft 38 to turn the pulley 23 and. wind up the weight 25. When the main line current in 16 is restored, energizing the solenoid til, the weight 59 is raised, taking with it the end 5? of the lever 56, and dropping the other end 55. This allows the ratchet-finger to engage with the teeth of the ratchet-wheel With current in the main line Hi, the motor i2 is energized and operates to turn the pulleywheel 23 and winds up the weight 25 closing the valve 93 as hereinabove described. When the pin. St, on the pulley-wheel, already described, strikes the jaw 32, the switch 33 is disconnected from the contacts 3! and the consumption circuit ii is connected up through the contacts 19 with the main line current. This movement of the switch 33 carries with it the switch 35, which disconnects the motor l2 from the main line. When the projection 50 strikes the end of the clutch operating lever 56, during the last part of the revolution of the pulley wheel, when the weight is being wound up, the clutch 45 is thrown out as hereinabove described.

From the foregoing it will be apparent that by closing and opening the switch 81, the solenoid 63 will be energized and deenergized, and the ratchet wheel 65 will be stepped up one step or tooth, which will be suflicient to move the projection or support 14 from its retracted position as shown (Fig. 7) to a position beneath the locking piece l5 where it will lock with it and prevent the solenoid weight 59 from falling. Similarly by closing the switch 81 again, the ratchet wheel 65 will be moved up another step, allowing the latch '53 to be pulled back by the action of the spring '12, thus restoring the support 74 to its retracted position, and unlocking the set. This switch 87 may be located at any desired or convenient point, remote or not, from which it is desired to control the locking and unlocking of the apparatus. The spring 85 normally holds the switch 87 open.

Under some circumstances it may be desired to automatically cause the apparatus to be locked during certain periods and unlocked during other periods. To accomplish this a clock mechanism 88 may be provided which has, upon the usual hour hand shaft a contact arm 89 adapted to pass over the contact 96, and also over the contact 9!, the arm 89 contacting with the contacts 90 and 9! as it passes over them. It will be apparent that the contact arm 89 being mounted upon the hour hand shaft of the clock mechanism, its contact arm will move in the usual manner of the hour hand of a clock. The contact at is adjustable into any desired position in the path of the hour hand, and the contact ii! is likewise adjustable. The contact arm is connected with one of the supply leads l6 while the contacts at and 9! are connected with one of terminals of the electro-magnct 53, the other terminal of the magnet being connected with the other one of the conductors 16.

It will now be apparent that when the contact arm 89 engages either one of the contacts 99 and 9!, the electro-magnet $3 will be momentarily energized and the ratchet wheel, the drum, looking member i l will he stepped up one step. It being assumed that the locking member 74 is in the retracted or unlocked position, and that one step is required to move it into locking position, the energizing of the solenoid by the engagement of the arm 89 with the contact 90 will cause the ratchet to be stepped up one step and therefore the locking member moved into locking position. It will remain in this position until the appropriate time having been reached, the contact arm 85 will engage with the contact 9! to make and break the circuit of the solenoid once when the ratchet wheel 65 will be stepped up one step and the locking member will be retracted into unlocking position. It will now be apparent that the set will be locked from the time when the contact arm 89 engages the contact 90 until it is again unlocked by engagement of that contact arm with the contact 9!, and it will further be seen that the time and duration of the looking and unlocking may be adjusted by the contacts 9% and 9! respectively angularly about the shaft upon which the contact arm 89 is mounted. Thus if the contact 90 is adjusted to a position corresponding to 1 oclock and the contact 9| is adjusted to a position corresponding to i oclock, the set will be automatically locked by the clockoperated-contacting mechanism between the hours of l and 4, and will be unlocked and so capable of responding to failure of current in the supply mains at all other times.

While the invention has been illustrated in what are considered its best applications it may have other embodiments without departing from its spirit and is not, therefore, limited to the structures shown in the drawings.

What I claim is:

1. The combination with a fluid-pressure motor, of a valve controlling the supply of fluid to said motor, a circuit, run-down rotatable means responsive to voltage conditions in said circuit for opening said valve, means for holding said means against running down and means responsive to said voltage conditions for imparting a hammer blow to said holding means to release it and motive means for winding up said rundown means, a clutch for connecting and disconnecting said run-down means and motive means in driving relation, said run-down means, when released from said holding means, being free to makes its complete opening movement.

2. The combination with a fluid-pressure motor, of a valve controlling the supply of fluid to said motor, a circuit, rotatable run-down means responsive to voltage conditions in said circuit for opening said valve, a movable dog for holding said means against running down and means responsive to said voltage conditions for moving said dog out of holding position and motive means for closing said valve, a clutch for connecting and disconnecting said run-down means and motive means in driving relation, said run-down means, when released from said holding means, being free to make its complete opening movement.

3. The combination with a fluid-pressure motor, of a valve controlling the supply of fluid to said motor, a circuit, rotatable run-down means responsive to voltage conditions in said circuit for opening said valve, a movable dog for holding said means against running down and means responsive to said voltage conditions for moving said dog out of holding position and motive means for closing said valve and rewinding said run-down means, a clutch for connecting and disconnecting said run-down means and motive means in driving relation, said run-down means, when released from said holding means, being free to make its complete opening movement.

4. In an emergency electric generating set, the combination with a fluid pressure motor operatively connected in driving relation to said generator, a valve controlling the supply of fluid to said motor, a circuit, weight-actuated means responsive to current conditions in said circuit for operating said valve, electro-magnetic means in said circuit for initiating the action of said weight-actuated means in response to current failure in the said circuit, a solenoid operated mechanism in the said circuit operatively related to the said electro-magnetic means, a clock controlled switch for locking said electromagnetic means for a predetermined period and means for locking and unlocking said electro-magnetic means at will.

5. The combination with a fluid-pressure motor, of a valve controlling the supply of fiuid to said motor, a. circuit, weight-actuated means including a drum responsive to voltage failure in said circuit for opening said valve, a movable dog for holding said means against operation and means responsive to said voltage conditions for moving said dog out of holding position, an electro-magnetic means connected in said circuit for winding up said weight and for closing said valve upon the resumption of voltage in said circuit.

6. The combination with a fluid-pressure motor,

of a valve controlling the supply of fluid to said motor, a circuit, weight-actuated means including a drum responsive to voltage conditions in said circuit for opening said valve, a movable dog for holding said means against operation and means responsive to said voltage conditions for moving said dog out of holding position, electromagnetic means for winding up said weight and for closing said valve, mechanical means for connecting said electro-motive means to said weight and switching means for connecting said electromagnetic means with said circuit.

7. The combination with a fluid-pressure motor, of a valve controlling the supply of fluid to said motor, a circuit, a weight-actuated drum for opening said valve in response to voltage conditions in said circuit, an electric motor for winding up said weight and for closing said valve, a shaft operatively connected to said drum, a clutch for connecting said shaft to said electric motor and switching means responsive to the action of said drum for connecting said electric motor to said circuit.

8. The combination with a fluid-pressure motor, of a valve controlling the supply of fluid to said motor, a circuit, a weight-actuated drum for opening said valve in response to voltage failure in said circuit, an electric motor in said circuit for winding up said weight and for closing said valve on resumption of voltage in said circuit, a shaft operatively connected to said drum, a clutch for connecting said shaft to said electric motor, means controlled by said drum for opening said clutch and eiectro-magnetic means responsive to voltage failure in said circuit for locking said clutch in open position.

9. The combination with a fluid-pressure motor, of a valve controlling the supply of fluid to said motor, a circuit, weight-actuated means including a drum responsive to voltage failure in said circuit for opening said valve, an electric motor connected to said circuit for winding up said weight and closing said valve upon the resumption of voltage in said circuit, a clutch for connecting and disconnecting said motor in driving relation to said drum and a switch for connecting said motor to said circuit, said switch being operatively related to the valve-operating means.

10. In an emergency electric generating set, the combination with a fluid-pressure motor operatively connected in driving relation to said generator, a valve controlling the supply of fluid to said motor, a circuit, weight-actuated means responsive to current cnditions in said circuit for operating said valve, electro-magnetic means in said circuit for initiating the action of said weightactuated means in response to current failure in the said circuit, means in the said circuit opera tively related to the said electro-magnetic means including a clock controlled switch for automatically locking said electro-magnetic means for a predetermined period and unlocking it again at the end of the said period.

11. In an emergency electric generating set, the combination with a fluid-pressure motor operatively connected in driving relation to said ge erator, a valve controlling the supply of fluid to said motor, a circuit, weight-actuated means responsive to current conditions in said circuit for operating said valve, electro-magnetic means in said circuit for initiating the action of said weight-actuated means in response to current failure in the said circuit, means for automatically locking said initiating means for a predetermined period and unlocking said initiating means again at the end of the said period.

12. In an emergency electric generating set, the combination with a fluid-pressure motor operatively connected in driving relation to said generator, a valve controlling the supply of fluid to said motor, a circuit, weight-actuated means responsive to current conditions in said circuit for operating said valve, electro-magnetic means in said circuit for initiating the action of said weightactuated means in response to current failure in the said circuit, a solenoid operated mechanism in the said circuit operatively related to the said electro-magnetic means and a clock controlled switch for locking said electro-magnetic means for a predetermined period.

13. The combination with a fluid-pressure motor, of a valve controlling the supply of fluid to said motor, said valve being rotatably mounted, a

worm secured to said valve, stationary means engaging with said worm as said valve and worm are rotated, a drum operatively related to said worm and valve, a cable on said drum, a weight carried by said cable and operating in falling to turn said drum, valve stem and worm to move the valve to open position, a ratchet wheel operatively connected to said drum, a pawl engaging said ratchet wheel and restraining said drum from turning under the action of said weight, a circuit, a solenoid connected in said circuit. a weight controlled by said solenoid and engaging with said pawl to move it out of engagement with said ratchet, a motor, means for connecting said motor with said drum including gearing and a releasable clutch and switching mechanism for connecting and disconnecting said motor with said circuit, said drum engaging said switching mechanism to shift the same.

JOSEPH P. BRYAN. 

